Amusement park ride

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a ride system that can include static and/or interactive elements and is arranged for high passenger throughput with additional dimensions. To this end, an amusement ride is provided for amusement of groups of visitors of an amusement park or the like, the amusement ride including a platform, divided into multiple segments. The segments are arranged to facilitate the groups of visitors mutually shielded from each other; and interactive objects, divided circumferentially around the platform are provided, for interaction of the groups of visitors with the interactive objects. The segments of the platform include electronic input devices for electronic interaction of the group with the interactive objects by control of the input devices, and the segments being polygon segments of the platform, and wherein at least one of the platform and the interactive objects are arranged for relative rotation with respect to each other around a center of the platform for relative movement between the segments with the groups and the interactive objects.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an amusement park ride,arranged for high throughput of the passengers and high dailycapacities. More in particular, the present invention relates to a ridesystem that can comprise static and/or interactive elements and isarranged for high passenger throughput with additional dimensions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Amusement rides or attractions are present in multiple forms in forexample amusement parks or other locations where visitors areentertained by such rides or attractions. Some of the more conventionalamusement rides are of a passive type wherein the visitors, often ingroups, are moved through the ride along a ride path and entertained forexample by the speed of the ride. Roller-coasters are perhaps the mostwell known of such types of rides.

Most visitors are yet very familiar with roller-coasters, in all sortsof forms. To increase the level of amusement, amusement parks seek foradditional dimensions to add to conventional existing rides to attractvisitors with increased levels of entertainment or to develop and deploynovel attractions having multiple dimensions of entertainment.

A way to increase the level of entertainment and to add an additionaldimension is to enable the ride to provide interaction with thevisitors. With interaction, the visitors can be impressed and excited.

Interactive rides consist of a scene wherein for example a certain gameis simulated, such as a shooter game. In the scene the visitors of thepark can interact, in groups or alone, with elements of the scene, forexample by a shooter device present in the scene which can be used toshoot towards targets present in the scene in the form of a physicalobject, or a virtual object shown on a large display. Multiple visitorscan be challenged in a game setting to compete against each other, oragainst a computer controlled competitor.

The scene is often equipped with additional audio and or video systems,which are for example arranged to provide audio or visual effects uponhitting a target in the scene by one of the visitors.

Since the scene of such an interactive ride is often either very large,or not able to cope with large groups of visitors, the capacity of suchrides is non-optimal. With an increasing demand for such next levelamusement rides, the amusement parks are faced with the difficultchallenge to handle all visitors that want to experience the interactiveride.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anamusement ride with improved visitor capacity.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide aninteractive amusement ride with added dimension for increased visitorexperience satisfaction.

It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide aninteractive amusement ride with improved visitor capacity and/or limitedground space requirement.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, there is provided an amusement ride for amusement ofgroups of visitors of an amusement park or the like, said amusement ridecomprising:

a platform, divided into multiple segments, said segments being arrangedto facilitate said groups of visitors mutually shielded from each other;and

interactive objects, divided circumferentially around said platform, forinteraction of said groups of visitors with said interactive objects;wherein said segments of said platform comprise electronic input devicesfor electronic interaction of said group with said interactive objectsby control of said input devices, and said segments being polygonsegments of said platform, and wherein at least one of said platform andsaid interactive objects are arranged for relative rotation with respectto each other around a center of said platform for relative movementbetween said segments with said groups and said interactive objects.

Several amusement rides are known in the art. Amusement parks or themeparks often offer a variety of amusement rides for their visitors. Someof these known amusement rides, like rollercoasters, transport groups ofvisitors of the park in a carriage over an outside track designed togive the visitors a thrill by the speed and course of the carriage overthe track.

Other known amusement rides are dark rides, which can be considered theindoor alternative for outside amusement rides such as rollercoasters.In a dark ride groups of visitors travel through the ride, often fromone scene to another, and so on until the end location of the ride. Insome dark rides, often those having a closed loop track, the location toenter the ride is the same location as where the ride ends. In other,often non-closed loop tracks, the location to enter and exit the rideoften differ from each other. On the track of a dark ride, closed loopor non-closed loop, guided vehicles, cars or carriages, travel throughthe ride over track following a certain ride path or route. Althoughreferred to as track, this is also to be interpreted as contactlesstrack, for example by magnetic movement, or by movement via a wire orthe like. The skilled person will appreciate which alternatives apply.

Nowadays modern novel amusement rides are often interactive. In suchinteractive environment, the visitors interact in a game or game likesetting with objects located within a certain scene representing forexample a shooter game.

Such known interactive amusement rides or interactive amusementattractions are arranged for one, two or several visitors to perform thegame within the scene by interaction with the interactive objects withinthe scene. The base of the ride is stationary, although (some of) theinteractive objects can be arranged to move (upon interaction with thevisitors) within the scene, for example when hit by a shooter in ashooter game scene.

Since these interactive amusement rides are very popular under amusementpark visitors, and such interactive rides can only handle a few amountof visitors at a time, a large amount of rides have to be present at anamusement park to cope with such visitor attendance. Since ground spaceis limited, especially when used as a dark ride inside a building, thereis a need for improving capacity of such interactive rides withoutrequiring high amounts of ground space.

The invention is based on the insight that in order to provide increasedvisitor capacity at limited ground space, the scene in which thevisitors perform the game or interact with the interactive object, hasto be moved throughout the ride such that several groups of visitors canattend simultaneously or wherein at least the visitor capacity isincreased by virtual movement of the visitors and/or the interactiveobjects in the scene.

Accordingly, the amusement ride according to a first aspect of theinvention is arranged for several groups of visitors that simultaneouslyattend the ride, in a sequential manner.

Within the context of the invention, a group of visitors is not only tobe understood as several visitors, but also one single visitor, twovisitors, or any predetermined amount of visitors.

Solutions known in the art are directed either to simultaneous orsequential attendance, i.e. either a large group of visitors(corresponding to the full visitor capacity of the ride) enter and exitthe ride simultaneously, or the group is divided into sub groups or evenindividuals which enter and exit the ride in a sequential manner andthus divided over time or in a staggered manner.

In the first example of the simultaneous attendance, all visitorsundergo the same (virtual) experience/ride or play the same game. Thishas several drawbacks, e.g. entrance and exit is inefficient and takes alot of time due to the large amount of visitors and the inefficienthandling of large groups, and the setup of such a scene with interactiveelements wherein a lot of visitors simultaneously interact with theseelements is cumbersome and requires large capacity of processing powerand presentation devices (e.g. displays) and input devices which aresuitable for simultaneous usage with such a number of visitors.

In the second example of the sequential attendance the visitors aredivided either in groups or in individuals and are moved along a pathsuch that the movement and flow is regulated. In order to increasecapacity of the ride it is thus known to increase the length of the pathsince the length of the path through the ride defines how many visitorsor people may be present in the ride at the same time. Increasing pathlength has the drawback that it is difficult to let the visitors undergoone single interactive experience/ride or game during the length of thepath, hence, known rides have several individual scenes in which severalindividual experiences/rides or games are provided. Moreover, suchsequential rides have the drawback that increasing capacity byincreasing path length also increases the size of the ride e.g. thecostly footprint of the ride in an amusement park.

The present invention provides a solution to these problems known in theart by dividing the visitors in groups for sequential attendance whereineach group is moved (or only virtually moved since the group members aregiven the impression of movement) throughout the ride and inefficiencyof large simultaneous entrance/exit is avoided, control and processingof all electric components may be performed in clusters and increasingthe capacity does not require increasing a path length and thus increasethe rides footprint in a ratio corresponding to the capacity increase.

The present invention provides such a solution by either moving(rotation) the groups along the interactive objects by rotating aplatform on which the groups take place, or by moving the interactiveobjects around the platform with the groups, by moving them both andwith respect to each other, or by moving a wall surface that ispositioned circumferentially around the platform and the interactiveobjects, hence by only giving a virtual impression of movement.

In a preferred example at least the platform is arranged for rotationsuch that the groups members or visitors are rotated along theinteractive objects. The group (members) enters the ride at a certainenter/start or loading location. From that location the ride starts andthe group members can take place at a segment of a platform, for exampleon a bench or chairs located there. Each group takes place at a segmentof the platform of the ride. The platform to this end is divided intoseveral segments, for example, 4, 5, 6, 7 or even more segments.

The platform is preferably regular polygon shaped and divided intosegments but could also be circular shaped. The segments are thuspolygon segments of the platform or circle segments of the platform. Theplatform rotates around its center position such that the segments moveradial and the group members in the segment are moved along interactiveobjects located at the circumference of the polygon shaped platform.

The polygon shaped platform can be a circle or a regular polygon shapedwith 1 to n sides, such as a regular pentagon (5 sides), a regularhexagon (6 sides), regular heptagon (7 sides), etc.

Along the circumference of the platform multiple objects are locatedthat form one single scene or multiple scenes such that the movement ofthe segment with the group provides a ride through the amusement ridealong a ride path through multiple scenes, or along one large scene. Inthe example of the multiple scenes, these scenes are preferably mutuallyseparated and as such provide distinct scenes.

The objects around the platform, forming part of the scene can bepassive decorative elements, or active objects such as interactive(electronic) objects that interact upon actions of the group or membersthereof, for example through interaction with the input device on theplatform.

The platform thus preferably rotates and preferably one location alongthe circumference of the platform is, as explained, configured for thegroup to start the ride by entering a segment. The segment, as beingpart of the rotating platform, rotates around a center of the platformat a certain speed. During rotation the group can interact with theinteractive objects and thus perform the game or experience theinteractivity of the ride. When the platform has rotated 360 degrees,the segment is again positioned at the start of the ride, i.e. thestart/load location, where the group can leave the ride by exiting thesegment such that a next group can enter.

In an example the platform slowly but continuously moves (i.e. rotates)with respect to the interactive objects, thus either the platform moves,or the objects move, or both move in the same direction, in oppositedirections, at the same speed (angular velocity) or at different speed.

In yet another example, the platform will move in a discrete manner,e.g. wherein the platform moves for example 30 degrees towards a firstscene with interactive objects, stops for a predetermined period of timeand then rotates another 30 degrees towards the second scene, and so onuntil the segment is adjacent the exit and/or entrance.

In an example the platform can be very large, having a high amount ofsegments. In such an example the loading and unloading locations, i.e.start and stop location, can be located elsewhere, for example atopposite sides. The ride path is then defined by half a circularrotation of the platform instead of a full circular rotation.

By providing several segments, several groups can attend the ridesimultaneous, and due to the design of the regular polygon shapedplatform and the segments designed thereon the effective ground space ofsuch an interactive ride is limited as compared to conventional (dark)rides wherein a car, carriage of other vehicle travels through the rideover a single (open or closed-loop) track.

In an example, the interactive objects are arranged in scenes, and theamount of scenes corresponds to an amount of segments on the platform.

As indicated, throughout the movement (rotation) of the segment from theload to the unload location, the group members are entertained/amusedthrough interaction with the objects within the scene or the severalscenes. These objects can be passive décor elements, active elementsthat, for example, react at regular intervals or in an interactivemanner in response to a certain action of one or more of the groupmembers. Hence, for example physical elements that comprise electroniccomponents which can interact with the group members through the inputdevices provided on the platform. For example these elements are décorelements having audio and/or visual presentation means such as audiospeakers and/or light units which produce audio and/or visual signalswhen interactions is to be performed (that element becomes a target) orwhen interaction has taken place (when the element is hit). The scenecan furthermore comprise digital systems such as one or more largedisplay(s), audio systems, video cameras and microphones. Preferably,each scene comprises at least one large display on which content isshown in accordance with the theme of the ride and preferably inaccordance with the specific scene. Such content can for example betargets of a shooter game.

In an example, the interactive objects comprise a large screen, thelarge screen in particular being a large display or a screen arrangedfor projecting video content thereupon by a video projector.

In an example, the large screen is arranged for display ofthree-dimensional video content.

Preferably the interactive objects comprise a large screen such as alarge LCD display or the like. This could be a 360 (or less) degreesprojector which is arranged to project images (and video content)circumferentially around the platform.

Virtual objects and video images can be shown on the display. As analternative, the large screen can also be a screen on which a projectorprojects the virtual objects or video images. The projector can also bea dual projector arranged for stereoscopic three-dimensionalrepresentation of the objects or digital content. This adds an extradimension to the interactive ride. The projector can be arranged on theplatform, such that the projection generated by the projector rotates incorrespondence with the rotation of the platform, or the projectors canbe stationary such that the platform rotates with respect to theprojection. In the first example the platform is moved and theinteractive elements shown on the projection move along with themovement of the platform and in the second example the platform movespast the interactive elements shown on the projection provided by asingle multi-degree projector or by plural conventional projectors.

In an example, at least one of the scenes is arranged for the groups toenter in the ride and wherein at least one of the scenes is arranged forthe group to exit the ride, and wherein preferably the exit and enterscene are the same.

As indicated, the load and unload locations can be the same, in the caseof a platform having a limited amount of segments. For example, theplatform can have 7 segments, and the circumference of the platform isdivided into 6 scenes that correspond in dimension to the side of thesegment. The remaining side of the circumference of the platform is thenarranged for loading/unloading of the groups. Alternatively, in theevent of a high amount of segments the loading and unloading locationscan be at opposite positions of the platform. For example, when theplatform is divided into 16 segments, the circumference of the platformis arranged into 14 scenes and 2 sides opposite each other forming theload and unloading positions.

In an example, the segments comprise a motion base for movement of thegroup upon interaction with the interactive objects.

To further increase interactivity with the group (members), each segmentcan be provided with a motion base, also known as a motion platformwherein effects are created of the segment or parts thereof such as theseats, or benches, moving in respect of the platform. The movementpreferable corresponds to actions initiated by the group members suchthat the motion base adds an additional level of interaction. The motionbase is to be interpreted in its broadest sense, thus all sorts ofmotion elements can be added per segment. Every segment can contain thesame/equal amount and type of motion elements or they can differ.

Other examples of such motion element are pendulum ride like motionelements where group members can take place on a bench or seats and thebench or seats are moved like a pendulum. Other examples of adding amotion element are tower like elements wherein the seats or bench are/israised and lowered. The speed thereof can differ and could for examplealso have a drop element such as a drop tower amusement ride. Yetanother example is to add additional rotation, for example by havingarms or hubs to which the benches or seats are attached. The platformthen rotates a in a certain direction and the hubs or arms rotate inopposite direction. These arms can be raised, which raises the benchesor seats or can even be tilted for example. As such, the platform withits segments and benches or seats operates similarly to an octopusamusement ride, or a calypso ride, or a breakdance ride. Alternatively,each segment can also comprise yet a further rotating platform. Hence,having one large platform, having thereupon multiple smaller platforms,one per segment. These smaller platforms can rotate at the same ordifferent angular velocities and in the same or opposing directions.Each smaller platform is preferably disk shaped, round or at leastregular polygon shaped and arranged to accommodate a certain amount ofvisitors, i.e. group members, for example disposed in two rows, inopposite orientations. Preferably in such a configuration the center ofthe large platform contains one or multiple displays directed to thesmaller platforms/disks and multiple displays at the circumference ofthe large platform. Thereby the capacity is further increased.

In an example, the segments comprise a motion capture device forinteraction of the group with the interactive objects by movement of thegroup, members of the group, or body parts of the members of the group.

In an example, the segments comprise input devices for interaction ofthe group with the interactive objects by control of the input devices.

There are several manners in which the group members can interact withthe interactive objects, physical objects or virtual objects shown onthe one or more large displays. This can for example be done bydedicated controls, e.g. human interface devices such as pointingdevices arranged to aim at the interactive objects. Examples thereof arepointing devices in the form of shooters that are arranged to determineif the shooter is correctly aimed at a target upon pushing a triggerbutton or the like. Other examples are touchscreen devices that can beused as input device. Yet another example is the employment of motiondetection devices wherein the position, orientation and movement of thegroup members and/or their body parts can be determined and used asinput to interact with the interactive objects. For example to movevirtual objects such on the large screen.

The interactive objects, as indicated for example in the form of virtualobjects displayed on a large display, or in combination with physical(interactive) objects, can be disposed on the rotating platform, oradjacent to the platform in the circumference thereof, or both.Preferably, in case of large displays as interactive objects, the largedisplays are disposed adjacent to the platform in the circumferencethereof. Then preferably multiple displays are disposed, the amountbeing equal to the amount of segments, minus one (or two), being thelocation(s) where the group can enter and/or exit the ride. However, thelarge displays can also be disposed on the rotating platform itself,e.g. one or more per segment.

In an example, the amusement ride further comprises a server arrangedfor determining interaction input of the group and control of theinteractive objects in accordance with the determined interaction input,wherein the interaction input preferably is determined through a humaninput device and/or a motion capture device.

In an example, the platform is regular polygon shaped.

The platform could be circular shaped, but is preferably polygon shapedand more preferably polygon shaped having a number of sidescorresponding with the number of segments and the number of scenes.

In an example, the platform is arranged for rotating around the centerof the platform and wherein the interactive objects are stationary.

In an example, the platform is stationary and the interactive objectsare arranged for rotating around the center of the platform.

In an example, both the platform and the interactive objects arearranged for rotating around the center of the platform.

In an example at least three different parts can be distinguished in theamusement ride, the first part being the platform for supporting anddividing the groups of visitors, the second part being the interactiveelements divided circumferentially around the platform and provided inthe form of physical objects which are arranged for digital interactionwith the visitors and/or display means such as a digital projection ofimages/videos for digital interaction with the visitors and finally thethird part a wall surface arranged circumferentially around theplatform. Preferably the wall surface is arranged for projection thereonby the projector(s) and hence displaying the digital interactiveelements.

These three parts are positioned circumferentially or radially aroundeach other and from these three parts at least one is arranged to rotatewith respect to the other parts. For example, the wall can be stationaryand be provided with an entrance/exit and the platform may be arrangedto rotate the groups with respect to the stationary wall surface suchthat upon entrance, the group is rotated for 360 degrees and can exit atthe same exit location. Alternatively, the platform could be stationaryand the wall surface, preferably provided with with an entrance/exit,rotates with respect to the platform. Hence, in such a configuration theentrance/exit position moves and groups can enter/exit when theentrance/exit in the wall is positioned adjacent their segment on theplatform. As yet another alternative, the platform and the wall surfacecan be stationary an only the interactive elements are arranged torotate around the platform. Thus in such an embodiment, movement issimulated (virtual movement) as the group members are given only theimpression of movement by movement of the elements along the platform.In such an embodiment, each wall surface and/or platform is arranged forentrance and exit of the group members.

In a further aspect of the invention an amusement ride for amusement ofgroups of visitors of an amusement park or the like, the amusement ridecomprising:

-   -   a platform, divided into multiple segments, the segments being        arranged to facilitate the groups of visitors mutually shielded        from each other; and    -   interactive objects, divided circumferentially around the        platform, for interaction of the groups of visitors with the        interactive objects; wherein the segments of the platform        comprise electronic input devices for electronic interaction of        the group with the interactive objects by control of the input        devices, and the segments being polygon segments of the        platform,    -   a wall surface, provided circumferentially around the platform        and the interactive objects and arranged to facilitate the        groups of visitors for entering and exiting the segment of the        amusement ride.

In an example at least one of the platform, the interactive objects andthe wall surface are arranged for rotation around a center of theplatform.

The invention will now be described in more detail by means of specificembodiments, with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein equal orlike parts and/or components are designated by the same referencenumerals. The invention is in no manner whatsoever limited to theembodiments disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a and 1b show top and front views of an amusement ride accordingto an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the amusement ride according to anaspect of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of another example of an amusement rideaccording to an aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a top view of yet another example of an amusement rideaccording to an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIGS. 1a and b , in top view and side view, show an example of anamusement ride 100 for amusement of groups of visitors of an amusementpark or the like. The amusement ride 100 consists of a platform 120,which is divided into multiple segments 130. The segments 130 arearranged to accommodate/facilitate the groups of visitors. The segments130 are preferably divided such that the groups are shielded from eachother by a segment separating panel 155.

Around the rotating platform 120 one or more scenes 110 are created andpositioned circumferential around the rotating platform 120. The scenesconsist of passive (decorative) elements to create a certain feel andambience. The scene further consists of interactive objects such aslarge screens 140. The interactive objects are arranged to interact withthe group members within the segment that are positioned at the scene110 where the large screens 140 are positioned.

The platform 120 is regular polygon shaped, which means round, square,regular pentagon, regular hexagon, regular heptagon, regular octagon,regular enneagon, etc. depending on the segments. The platform rotatesin relation to the interactive objects. Alternatively, the interactiveobjects 140 can also be arranged to rotate around the static platform120, or in yet another alternative, both the interactive objects 140 canrotate as well as the platform 120, in opposite direction thereof.

The speed at which the rotating platform spins, i.e. the angularvelocity, could in an example be related to the interactive skills ofthe group members. Thus, if the group members are so skilled that theyachieve a high hit rate in for example a shooter game, the speed ofrotation of the platform can be lowered or increased accordingly. Assuch, an additional interactive dimension is added to the ride.

The ride is preferably provided with means for detecting the position ofthe rotating element, e.g. a detector to detect the (angular) positionof the platform and/or the rotating wall. The position is preferablycommunicated to the server such that the interactive elements can becontrolled in a corresponding manner, e.g. when the segment ispositioned adjacent the wall surface of the interactive elements/display140. Upon discrete movement of the wall or platform the detection cantake place by position sensors in the form of switches or electricalcontacts that are short circuited when the platform moves from oneposition to the other. Other examples are also suitable, and the skilledperson will appreciate which other alternatives are applicable.

By letting the platform rotate around the interactive elements (or viceversa), the visitors of the amusement park that want to visit andexperience the amusement ride can be divided into groups. Each of thesegments 130 of the rotating platform 120 can accommodate one of thesegroups. An advantage of having several scenes with groups of visitorspositioned in segments on a rotating platform is that with such a ride,a relative small ground surface is needed, in which a relative largeamount of visitors can be entertained. As such, the capacity of anamusement ride according to the invention is increased. Moreover, thelevel of entertainment is also further increased, by adding movement ofthe platform with respect to the scenes and its interactive elements forexample.

In the example shown in FIG. 1 the platform 120 is divided into 7segments 130. In this example the scenes are positioned circumferentialaround the platform in a regular polygon shape with seven sides, i.e. aregular heptagon. In this example the platform has a round shape. Thiscan also be seven sided regular polygon shaped, i.e. regular heptagon aswell.

In FIG. 2 the perspective view is shown of the amusement ride 100according to the example as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b . The amusementride 100 consists of seven segments 130 to accommodate seven groups ofvisitors. These visitors can take place inside the segment on seats 152or benches positioned in the segments. The visitors of one group cannotsee the visitors of another group that are present in a differentsegment, since the segments are separated by segment separation panels155.

In the example shown in the figures, controller devices are present inthe segments by which the visitors can interact with the interactiveelement, in this example shown on the large screen 140. Several types ofcontroller devices can be used, for example, pointing device such as ashooter device, laser pointing device, but also touchscreen device, or adevice to detect movement/motion of the visitor, or its limbs, i.e. agesture detecting device.

The large screen could be a very large active panel such as an LCD orplasma panel, but is preferably a passive screen on which content isshown by a projector/beamer 153. The projector or projectors can bepositioned statically or dynamically, hence, on the rotating platform oron a static base. A computer device, e.g. a central server (now shown),controls the panel or the projector. The computer is thus operativelyconnected to the panel or projector and to the controller devices, e.g.the shooters 151. The computer can also be connected to other activeelements in the scene or the segments, such as additional light effectelements to add visual effects, speakers to add audio effects, videocameras to determine response of the visitors or for example to scanfacial expression such that it is processed by the server and can beprojected as an overlay layer on digital content shown on large screen.Any of the communicative connections between the server and the othercomponents can be employed by wire or wireless connection.

Preferably, the content shown on the large screen has depth perspective.This can be achieved by a single mono projector arranged for 3Dprojection or, as shown in the figures, by use of two projectors ofwhich one can be used to display content in 2D and the second projectorcan be added to add depth and create a virtual 3D environment.

The interactive elements of the scene are preferably, as indicated,shown as digital content on the large screen 140. In the example shownin the figures, several scenes 110 can be identified. More inparticular, the platform 120 is divided into seven segments 130, andthere are six scenes. Hence, the amount of scenes equals the amount ofsegments, minus one, which is used to load/unload the group. Hence,after the group members enter the amusement ride at that location, thegroup members take place on the seats 152 or benches in the segment 130.The segment forms part of the platform 120 and thus rotate in respect ofthe static/stationary scenes with its interactive elements, e.g. largescreens 140. As shown in the figures the amount of screens equals theamount of scenes which equals the amount of segments minus one. However,it is also possible to use one single large screen that covers allscenes. As such, the scenes could also be a single scene with one single(or multiple) large screens such that, once the group takes place in thesegment, the segment slowly rotates in front of the large screen untilthe segment returns back to the position where the group entered andthus exits the ride. Alternatively, the enter and exit location can alsobe different, e.g. opposing positions. This is advantageously when theplatform size is very large such that it can be divided into a largeamount of segments to accommodate a large amount of groups. The route,or ride path, thought the ride is then 180 degrees of rotation of therotating platform whereas in the other example, the route through theride is 360 degrees of rotation of the rotating platform.

In the example demonstrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the ride is constructed insuch a manner that the platform rotates and the wall surfaces and largescreens 140 are stationary/fixed. However, these can also be constructedthe other way round, wherein the wall surface rotates around astationary platform, or wherein both the wall surface and theinteractive elements rotate around the stationary platform, or whereinseveral elements move and/or move relatively with respect to each other.

In FIG. 3 yet another example of an interactive ride 200 according tothe invention is shown. This ride consists also of a large rotatingplatform which is divided into multiple segments, i.e. twelve in thiscase. The segment also consists of a small rotating platform, whichpreferably rotates in opposite direction with respect to the largeplatform. The small rotating platforms are in this example arranged tofacilitate group sizes of eight members. These members take place on twobenches which are disposed on the small rotating platform in opposingdirections such that the group members look away from each other. Eachbench has four shooters 151, one for each group member. The shooters canbe used to aim at the interactive objects displayed on the large screens140 that are distributed around the platform and also to aim at theinteractive objects displayed on smaller screens 141 that are disposedat the inner part/circle of the platform. Both the small 141 and large140 screens represent one single scene. At one position in thecircumference of the platform, there are no screens disposed. At thislocation the visitors can enter and exit the ride 151. In this examplearranged for two groups to enter and exit at the same time.

In FIG. 4 yet another example of an interactive ride 300 according tothe invention is shown. This ride is build-up around a rotating platformwhich is divided into several segments 130 but the group members cantake place/are facilitated at the circumference of the rotating platformin such a way that the group members are oriented towards the largescreens around the platform. In this example the platform rotates inrespect of the large screens 140 and the segments 130 do not rotate inrespect of the platform. Each segments is arranged to facilitate fourgroup members on a single bench, each bench being equipped with fourshooters 151, one for each group member, to interact with theinteractive objects displayed on the large screens 140. In accordancewith the example of FIG. 3, the example shown in FIG. 4 also has asingle enter/exit location 115 where the group can enter and exit theride, in this particular case, two groups that enter and exitsimultaneous.

In the examples demonstrated in the figures, shooting devices 151 areshown to interact with the interactive elements shown on the screens140. As such the group members are entertained by the amusement ride ina game or game like setting. The content shown on the screens 140 couldhowever also be less or non-interactive, video content.

Based on the above description, a skilled person may providemodifications and additions to the method and arrangements disclosed,which modifications and additions are all comprised by the scope of theappended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A dark ride interactive indoor amusementride for amusement of groups of visitors of an amusement park, saidamusement ride comprising: a platform, arranged to divide said visitorsinto said group and for facilitating movement of said group of visitorsalong a path through said dark ride; and interactive objects, dividedalong said path, for interaction of said groups of visitors with saidinteractive objects during said movement of said group of visitors alongsaid path, wherein said platform comprise electronic input devices forelectronic interaction of said group with said interactive objects bycontrol of said input devices, characterized in that, said platform isdivided into multiple segments, said segments being arranged to mutuallyshield said groups of visitors from each other, said segments beingpolygon segments of said platform, and wherein at least one of saidplatform and said interactive objects are arranged for relative rotationwith respect to each other around a center of said platform for relativemovement between said segments with said groups and said interactiveobjects.
 2. The dark ride interactive indoor amusement ride according toclaim 1, wherein said interactive objects are arranged in scenes, and anamount of scenes corresponding to an amount of segments on saidplatform.
 3. The dark ride interactive indoor amusement ride accordingto claim 2, wherein at least one of said scenes is arranged for saidgroups to enter in said ride and wherein at least one of said scenes isarranged for said group to exit said ride, and wherein preferably saidexit and enter scene are the same.
 4. The dark ride interactive indooramusement ride according to claim 1, wherein said interactive objectscomprise a large screen, said large screen in particular being a largedisplay or a screen arranged for projecting video content thereupon by avideo projector.
 5. The dark ride interactive indoor amusement rideaccording to claim 4, wherein said large screen is arranged for displayof three dimensional video content.
 6. The dark ride interactive indooramusement ride according to claim 1, wherein said segments comprise amotion base for movement of said group upon interaction with saidinteractive objects.
 7. The dark ride interactive indoor amusement rideaccording to claim 1, wherein said segments comprise a motion capturedevice for interaction of said group with said interactive objects bymovement of said group, members of said group, or body parts of saidmembers of said group.
 8. The dark ride interactive indoor amusementride according to claim 1, comprising a server arranged for determiningan interaction input of said group and control of said interactiveobjects in accordance with said interaction input, wherein saidinteraction input preferably is determined through a human input deviceand/or a motion capture device.
 9. The dark ride interactive indooramusement ride according to claim 1, wherein said platform being regularpolygon shaped.
 10. The dark ride interactive indoor amusement rideaccording to claim 1, wherein said platform is arranged for rotatingaround said center of said platform and wherein said interactive objectsare stationary.
 11. The dark ride interactive indoor amusement rideaccording to claim 1, wherein said platform is stationary and saidinteractive objects are arranged for rotating around said center of saidplatform.
 12. The dark ride interactive indoor amusement ride accordingto claim 1, wherein both said platform and said interactive objects arearranged for rotating around said center of said platform.
 13. Anamusement ride for amusement of groups of visitors of an amusement park,said amusement ride comprising: a platform divided into multiplesegments, said segments being arranged to facilitate said groups ofvisitors mutually shielded from each other; interactive objects, dividedcircumferentially around said platform, for interaction of said groupsof visitors with said interactive objects; wherein said segments of saidplatform comprise electronic input devices for electronic interaction ofsaid group with said interactive objects by control of said inputdevices, and said segments being polygon segments of said platform; anda wall surface, provided circumferentially around said platform and saidinteractive objects and arranged to facilitate said groups of visitorsfor entering and exiting said segment of said amusement ride.
 14. Theamusement ride according to claim 13, wherein at least one of saidplatform, said interactive objects and said wall surface are arrangedfor rotation around a center of said platform.